The morning began like any other—arm bring at 5 AM, cold shower because the hot water was out again, stale bread for breakfast. Mia was halfway through her commute when her phone rang, dispying an unknown number. She hesitated before answering, expecting another debt collector.

  "Is this Mia Thompson?" a crisp, professional voice asked.

  "Yes," she replied warily.

  "This is James Hartford from Hartford & Associates Law Firm. I'm calling regarding the estate of Harold Thompson."

  Mia's brow furrowed. "I don't know any Harold Thompson."

  "He was your great-uncle, Ms. Thompson. I understand you weren't acquainted, but you're listed as his sole beneficiary."

  The world seemed to tilt sideways. Mia gripped the bus pole tighter as the wyer expined that Harold Thompson, a reclusive tech entrepreneur, had died without immediate family. Through genealogical research, they'd discovered Mia—his only living retive.

  An hour ter, she sat in a gleaming office building, still wearing her factory uniform, as Mr. Hartford id out the details. The inheritance was substantial: several million dolrs, a paid-off penthouse apartment, and a portfolio of investments.

  "I don't understand," Mia whispered, staring at the documents. "Why me? He never even knew me."

  "Mr. Thompson was very particur about family, even distant retions," Hartford expined. "He spent his final years trying to locate any surviving retives. You were the only one."

  The next few weeks passed in a blur of paperwork and disbelief. Mia quit her job, moved into the penthouse, and found herself surrounded by luxury she'd never imagined. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, the kitchen gleamed with appliances she didn't know how to use, and the silence was profound after years of thin walls and noisy neighbors.

  But the silence became oppressive. Without work to structure her days, Mia felt lost. She tried socializing—visiting cafes, joining clubs—but years of isotion had left her unable to connect with others. People either wanted something from her now that she had money, or they couldn't understand the gap between their experiences and hers.

  One evening, browsing through financial news on her new ptop, she stumbled upon an article about "Eternal Realms," a revolutionary virtual reality ptform that promised complete immersion in countless worlds. The article mentioned its exclusive VIP program, which guaranteed private worlds free from other pyers.

  "Perfect for those seeking solitude while exploring infinite possibilities," the advertisement read.

  Mia's fingers hovered over the keyboard. The idea of escaping into another world, where she could interact with NPCs programmed to be predictable and safe, appealed to her deeply. No hidden agendas, no betrayals, no judgment.

  She researched the system extensively. The VIP package was expensive—a price that would have been unthinkable just weeks ago—but it offered exactly what she wanted: private access to the vast virtual universe, customizable experiences, and advanced AI companions.

  After days of deliberation, Mia made her decision. She ordered the most advanced VR setup avaible, paid for lifetime VIP access, and scheduled instaltion for the following week. The delivery team converted her spare bedroom into a state-of-the-art VR chamber, complete with a medical-grade suspension pod that would monitor her physical needs during extended sessions.

  As they finished the setup, the lead technician handed her a sleek manual. "Remember, the time dition effect means you'll experience much more time in-game than passes in reality. Some people lose track of real time completely."

  Mia nodded, but she wasn't concerned. What did she have to lose track of? An empty apartment? A life without purpose?

  That night, she stood before the VR pod, its smooth surface reflecting the city lights. Tomorrow, she would enter Eternal Realms. Tomorrow, she would begin a new life in a world where she could finally control her destiny.

  Little did she know that in seeking escape from her loneliness, she would find a love that transcended death itself—and awaken a power that would shake the foundations of reality.